Though Arsenal have previously stated they would not sell Theo Walcott in January there is every chance that a £15m offer for a player who can leave for nothing in six months will tempt the North London side into selling.

If Chelsea can offer the 23 year old the wage packet he desires, and isn’t seemingly being handed by Arsenal, as well as the chance to impress in an orthodox central striking role then a move to Stamford Bridge will certainly appeal to the England international.

A move to Walcott becomes all the more probable if the Blues opts to accept offers for surplus to requirements forward Daniel Sturridge.

Walcott is Arsenal’s top scorer this season with ten goals in all competitions, despite making just eight starts, and may have felt that a good run of form would help prove himself worthy of a striking role at the Emirates Stadium but that hasn’t proven the case.

Chelsea could well do with alternative attacking options and as long as Walcott has no qualms about a potentially contentious move to a city rival then previous experience suggests that similarly the Gunners board have no issue with selling to Premier League opposition.